and so works in him repentance. (_c_) Another requirement is unfeigned
faith. "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." "Without faith it is
impossible to please him."[208] "Being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."[209] "Let him ask in faith,
nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea
driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall
receive anything of the Lord."[210] (_d_) There must be also humble,
earnest resolution to be obedient to the will of God. The forgiveness
secured by the death of Jesus is more than mere deliverance from the
penalty of sin or the acquittal of the sinner. It is the remission of
sins, the putting away of the sin. With pardon there is a renewal of the
inner man. Return to holiness is secured, and the lost image of God is
restored to man, so that he dies to sin and lives unto holiness. Nothing
less than this will satisfy the true penitent, who asks for more than
pardon, whose cry is, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a
right spirit within me."[211] It is not sufficient to be set free from
punishment, there must be the abiding desire to have the life conformed
to the Divine will. "The grace of God that bringeth salvation" teaches
and enables all who receive it "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts,
and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world."[212]


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ARTICLE 11